“Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina” Author Misty Copeland to Appear at Sept. 13 Fund-raiser

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. - Sept. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- Misty Copeland has taken the world by storm, from 42^nd Street, where the American Ballet Theater principal dancer made her Broadway debut in “On the Town,” to Wall Street, where she was invited to ring the closing bell at the end of August.

Now Copeland, named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2015, will be on hand to help support Greenwich Ballet Academy. The author of the best-selling “Life in Motion: An Unliklely Ballerina” will appear at 2 p.m. on September 13 at Barnes & Noble, 230 Main St. in White Plains. The public is invited to meet Copeland at the book signing and  Q&A, which runs simultaneously with a book fair fundraiser for GBA and its programs.  Copeland will also sign copies of her recently release children’s book, “Firebird”.

“Words fail to describe how thrilled we are to welcome Misty Copeland, and how pleased we are to honor someone who is both an accomplished dancer and a cultural ambassador for dance and community,” said Marisol Rivera Thurman, board chairman of the ballet academy.

Ms. Copeland who has had an against-all-odds career, beginning dance at the “late” age of 13, recently made history by becoming the first African American female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre.  The American-born dancer from Kansas City, Missouri, rose to stardom quickly, despite feedback that her body type was not suitable for ballet. She won awards and scholarships within her first two years of dance, and went on to become a professional dancer by age 19, when she was asked to join the Corps de Ballet at American Ballet Theatre.

"One of the remarkable things about Ms. Copeland is that unlike most ballerinas, her popularity and reach extend well beyond the ballet world," says Rivera Thurman. "The popular Under Armour I Will What I Want advertisements featuring Misty position her not just as a premiere ballerina but as a world-class athlete and cultural fitness icon.”

The Greenwich Ballet Academy students are abuzz with excitement with the opportunity to meet and ask questions of this revolutionary dancer. “Misty Copeland is an inspiration to dancers all over the world…she pushed through tremendous barriers and stereotypes to pursue her dream,” said GBA student Olivia Citarella of Greenwich. “I’m so excited to meet Misty” said fellow GBA dancer Isabel Tenney of Rye, NY.  “She is a beautiful, exciting and powerful dancer and woman. She is a role model for all young dancers.”

Last year, Rivera Thurman approached Barnes & Noble requesting a book fair fundraiser that would include Ms Copeland doing a book signing. Passionate about giving back, Ms. Copeland has been inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame and is involved with many local and national charity organizations.

“I remember thinking it was a crazy dream to even suggest it, but I did,” she added. “I couldn’t believe that Misty accepted and we found a date 12 months later, for September 2015."

In the year that followed, Copeland’s star has risen to a prominence that extends far beyond the dance community. Rivera Thurman and Amy Durfy, Community Business Development Manager for Barnes & Noble, were thrilled and surprised to learn that Copeland would still be available.

“Misty has a mission of supporting ballet education, and a book signing that also benefits a school was something she was willing to keep on her busy calendar,” Durfy explained. “We are so pleased to support the excellent classical ballet education that Greenwich Ballet Academy offers by hosting one of today’s greatest ballerinas. It is the perfect match for a book signing and a book fair fundraiser.”

The public is invited to attend the book signing. For additional information, contact Greenwich Ballet Academy at (914) 305-4377.

Details: Misty Copeland, revolutionary dancer and current principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, will be answering questions and signing both her 2014 autobiography release,  “My Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina,” and her children’s book, “Firebird.” A portion of the proceeds from book purchases and any in-store or online purchase using GBA code 11688835 from 9/09-9/13 will go to support Greenwich Ballet Academy, the leading classical ballet academy in Fairfield - Westchester counties.

About Greenwich Ballet Academy

Greenwich Ballet Academy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) institution that nurtures talented dancers, ages 4-21, toward careers in classical ballet and contemporary dance with a unique emphasis on the Russian Vaganova method of instruction. GBA is the only school in the lower Fairfield and Westchester County area to offer this specialized type of training. The professional faculty also provides classes in modern and character dance, and contemporary ballet. GBA students have earned accolades at international ballet competitions and have joined professional ballet companies. For more information on performances and training, please visit the GBA website: www.greenwichballetacademy.org